Networking activities of the I.FAST project in the high brightness accelerator for light sources

The Innovation Fostering in Accelerator Science and Technology (I.FAST) project aims to enhance innovation in the particle accelerator community, mapping out and facilitating the development of breakthrough technologies common to multiple accelerator platforms. Task 7.2 of the I.FAST project, Enabling Technologies for Ultra Low Emittance Rings, focuses on networking in the area of low emittance rings dominated by the recent X-ray storage ring upgrades and exploiting synergies with existing and future e+/e- colliders. Strengthening networking activities in essential technologies ranging from magnet design, RF systems, vacuum, injection systems to feedback systems and beam instrumentation leads to a state where technological difficulties are shared, so that the R&D path is strongly linked to other facilities and scientific fields. Such a state also stimulates joint organizations to collaborate on projects with organic links worldwide. To facilitate networking, Task 7.2 has so far organized several thematic workshops, and is planning further workshops to prepare opportunities to strengthen networking. In this contribution we present our activities in the past and for the future.